Auto Insurance Claim – Why You Need To Report Accidents
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Milwaukee, WI. I got hit recently by another driver who was clearly at fault. He offered me to pay in cash for the damages rather than make a claim on his car insurance; is that okay?
Karen
Milwaukee, WI
It’s a bad idea to accept cash if you’re injured or if you even have a hint of being injured. Your PIP coverage should pay for your medical expenses and any lost wages that you may incur if you’re injured. Once your PIP is consumed, your health insurance will kick in and pay for the rest of your expenses. You can sue the at-fault driver to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and any lost wages as a result of the crash if you do not have PIP or health insurance.
On the other hand, never take money on the spot if you choose to accept the other driver’s cash offer for the physical damage to your car. Be sure to know exactly how much it will cost to repair your vehicle. You could end up paying for a portion of the repairs yourself if you don’t get an accurate estimate, Say for example, the other driver offers you $1,000 to pay for damages and you later receive an estimate showing that the total cost is $1,500 to repair your car, you may have to kick in $500 of your own pocket.
It is also important for you to carefully examine any documents you may be required to sign that absolve the other driver of any further liability. If the at-fault’s party has consulted an attorney, it is likely that the attorney has drafted a document that will take away your right to sue later. If you are in doubt about signing the document, consult an attorney. Hiring a lawyer is an unavoidable expense that you’ll have to pay for. Always check your policy language for details so it’s advised to contact your Milwaukee, WI insurance agent to have a statute of limitations for reporting accidents.
How to Background Check on Auto Insurance Companies
Reader’s Question:
If I want to find an insurance provider in Wisconsin online to check their background how would I go about getting information on that company? I am looking for a Wisconsin auto insurance company that will treat me fairly.
Ray
Green Bay, WI
To get the background on an insurance carrier in Wisconsin, the first thing you may want to do is to look at the company’s own website. Most insurance companies have an “about us” section that provides information on their history, noteworthy accomplishments, and mission.
Of course since any Wisconsin carrier will want to shed themselves in a good light you should also look with other carriers that are not affiliated with them to have more reliable information on that carrier. Word of mouth is good as well, if family or friends have used them and can give you feedback. There are companies which provide an objective look into businesses.
When looking for car insurance carriers in Wisconsin do not forget to go to a great state source of knowledge, which is your state’s insurance regulator. Most states’ insurance regulatory agencies publish consumer complaint ratios for the insurance providers licensed to do business in the state. These ratios can inform you how many complaints a car insurance company has received per 1,000 claims filed.
Will Traffic Violation in Wisconsin be Transferred Back in my Home State?
Reader’s Question:
I live in IL. I got a traffic violation in Wisconsin and I just want to know if the points will be assigned back to Illinois. I think I need a better Wisconsin auto insurance plan, any ideas?
Iris
Thank you for asking Iris.
Wisconsin is not a member of the Drivers License Compact, which requires member states to report traffic violation convictions. Although WI is not part of the DLC , they can still exchange ticket information with the home state of an out if state driver convicted in WI. So once you have been cited of the traffic infraction you were ticketed for in the Wisconsin courts, the violation will be forwarded to Illinois.
Out of state tickets being placed on your driving record, is not specifically mentioned in the IL Secretary of State site. But the Illinois Administrative Code Motor Vehicle gives information on the list of Illinois offense. All out-of-state moving violations are to be considered as Illinois violation as well.
From the Illinois Administrative Motor Vehicle Code information, it seems that out of state moving infractions will be placed to your Illinois driving record and assigned points. To get more information and to make sure if points will be assigned and if so how many, check with the IL Secretary of State Service for Motorist division.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Low Wisconsin Car Insurance Quote for New Drivers
Reader’s Question:
My aunt told me that as a new driver, I might often be charged with a more expensive car insurance quote. What can I do to help lower my costs for new driver car insurance in Wisconsin?
Mercy
Milwaukee WI
New drivers will most often be initially quoted with an expensive car insurance coverage compared to normal drivers. This is because car insurance providers naturally perceive them as more prone to road accidents since they lack the experience of driving along public roads and highways. However, there are many ways that you can consider in order to save you on car insurance policies even if you are a new driver.
Basically, you have to assure your car insurance provider that you are a responsible driver. You can do this by attending classes focusing on defensive driving. This program will allow you to drive safely and to anticipate hazards that you might experience while driving. There are even courses that offer you how to drive carefully under various road conditions or weather situations. Holding on to your program certificate will get you discounts on your new driver car insurance.
If you are a student, being responsible can also be reflected in your scholastic records. Some insurance providers will reward you for being a good student, thus, earning you a new driver car insurance at a lower rate. Additionally, having a clean credit record will also get you lower rates.
Do not forget to ask for any discounts.
Make sure you start making good credit score.
Buying Comprehensive Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
Reader’s Question:
Hello there. I’ve noticed there have been a lot of natural disasters happening around the world–rains, floods and hurricanes. It made me wonder how prepared I am for these events. Will my auto insurance in Wisconsin cover my car if things like these happen?
Mickey
Eau Claire, WI
Yeah, it has been a weird year for weather, hasn’t it? This would be a good time to review your auto insurance coverage to make sure you’ve got everything covered. For an auto insurance company to cover the cost of damages or the replacement of your vehicle in case of a natural disaster, you must have comprehensive auto insurance. This is not usually part of the minimum insurance requirements of states like Wisconsin, so you will have to purchase this as an add-on to your auto insurance minimums. Be sure to read the fine print in your policy, so you know exactly what is and what isn’t covered. You will want to know how much, if any, will be your share of the bill. You may also want to look at gap insurance or rental insurance if having a vehicle is essential to your kind of work. If you are not already covered, I suggest you go out and get one as soon as possible. You can’t just run out to the store and ask for this kind of insurance coverage every time there’s news that bad weather will hit. With this kind of insurance there is usually a lead time of, say, 30 days before your auto insurance is in effect. So, don’t wait until the last minute.
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